Climbing Tree stand?

[backstrapbuster]

Recently i've been considering getting a climbing tree stand. I have way to many stands now and am tired of buying and building afew each year. I'm looking for something that can hold some heavy weight, easy to use, and good for bow hunting. Price doesn't matter because i plan on making it a long term investment. I keep looking at the lone wolf sit and climb, any knowledge on that, as well as other climbers would be greatly appreciated.

[Lawdwaz]

I use a Treewalker and have been very pleased with it. I am bigger than average (!!) as I go 240 and 5'11.5" (never made 6') and the TW works great for me.

I had a couple Summit stands and they were nice enough but I have no regrets.

Summit is probably the king of climbers as far as sales go?

Try and test each one out BEFORE you buy if possible. Locate a couple different guys in your area with the stands you are interested in and test drive 'em.

Also, check out the return policy of Dicks, Gander Mountain and Bass Pro Shop. Buy/return or keep. Good plan?

Where do you live? I'm in the Buffalo area if you wanted to try the TW as they are a mail order deal.

Have a good harness yet? THAT is your first move.......................

[Mike G]

The Equalizer is the best. I have the EQ24 and love it. When climbing a tree the base is always thicker then the top so other stands are not level when you reach that point. With this you can level the stand buy simply turning a gear. See link:

http://www.buckshot-stands.com/

[phade]

Lone Wolf - ultimate mobile hunting stands...the climbers are sturdy and lightweight, pack the best of all climbers, and are quiet during setup. The con for some people is comfort - 50/50 chance you'll think it's comfortable.

Summit...comfy. Packing, bulk, and noise is not as good as the LW. But....if the comfort keeps you hunting, then it's a better option.

I've seen about half the people say climbing is better with one rather than the other. It's a toss-up, I guess.

I have a Summit and a LW. I much prefer the LW since I don't often use climbers for all day sits. It is not as comfy, but I deal for 3-5 hours a sit. I also think the LW will be a much better long-term investment for you...no welds to break.

Edited December 28, 2011 by phade

[WNYBuckHunter]

I have tried cheap climbers, and they are a waste of money. Noisy, heavy and uncomfortable. The Lone Wolf sit and climb is nice. The summits are just plain solid, light (aluminum models), comfortable, and you can get different sizes for average or bigger guys. The selection of accessories can't be beat etiher. I have the Viper SS and would only consider getting one of the larg aluminum Summits or the Lone Wolf.

I don't exclusively use the climber, it's just another stand option for certain areas and state land. I've used it a lot this year trying to figure out where to put my hang one and ladder stands for next year.

[Grizz1219]

I love my Lone Wolf climber.... Summit are good as well but the Lone Wolf is the best I've used...

[hunterman7956]

I have used and tried alot of climbers and I settled on a treewalker treestand only 18 lbs. and easy setup. they sell them at the Suffern outdoors show every year real comfortable!!

[Lawdwaz]

I have used and tried alot of climbers and I settled on a treewalker treestand only 18 lbs. and easy setup. they sell them at the Suffern outdoors show every year real comfortable!!

I agree. If you tried a TW after trying the rest you'd be sold on them.

[Karpteach]

I'm a big fella, 5'11.5", I was 6' (aging socks), and 283 lbs I have the Summit Titan, and it's the the most comfortable stand I've owned. I have had the LW, but there not really comfortable for me. Summit keeps me hunting all day...and sometimes napping to!

[agross]

my vote is for the lone wolf.

[ants]

Which ever one you go with get one thats light weight. Alot of climbers are bulky and if you add weight to the bulk you're not going to want to carry it around if you want to move it from spot to spot, if you want to change locations. I have two summit vipers. They are very light for their size (aluminum I think), sturdy and quiet. A friend bought a summit this year thats made of steel. It weighs a ton and he complained about it all season

[88GW]

I own a Summit Viper and it is easy as can be to climb with, nice big shooting rail to sit on while climbing, very secure while climbing. Nice comfy seat and great platform to stand on while standing. I am a big guy, 260 lbs maybe more with all the gear on. I have used a lone wolf sit and climb and it is very nice, but a bit snug for big guys and the rail you sit on while climbing is not quite as secure. Both the summit and the Lone Wolf are right around 20 lbs. Go with the summit in my opinion.

Edited December 31, 2011 by 88GW

[Fitzy]

I've been using an API bowhunter for many years. I like the open front and the hand grips keep you secure in the middle of the stand. With the long chains,I think it can handle a much larger tree than the summits. You'll need some upper body strength to use it though! The only issue I've had is that the shrink wrap on the chains will crack after a few years.Bass Pro carries them.

[Four Season Whitetail's]

What area are you from??? I still have 3 summits and i am selling one of the open shots i have. This stand is made for the bow hunter in mind all the way. You dont have the rail in front of you when you are standing getting ready for bow shots!! I have alot of guys that hunt on my land and that travel with me and they all have summits..with most havin 2 or 3!!

[cbx46]

I use my climber a lot on Li I had the viper classic LOVED IT super comfortable, but kinda heavy , very reliable never an issue in about 7 yrs. I wanted a newer lighter stand for longer walks my uncle who owns a ton of gear and many years hunting said his lone wolf hand climber while very light was also super uncomfortable. My wife just got me the summit bushmaster a lot lighter and still comfortable. I love summit products. My bro has a viper and my good friendly a goliath both also love it. Go summit.

[ants]

Summit all the way. I got my second viper off a friend for $100 bucks brand new. After testing it out on a tree in his yard he decided he didn't like the feeing of going up and down in a climber. I guess their not for everyone, but SCORE for me. His butt never even touched the seat.

[Nomad]

Myself i've only used/owned one that is a Lone Wolf hand climber I'm happy with it, simple light ,fast, quite.

[backstrapbuster]

I ended up buying a tree walker for my first climber this past weekend at the Eastern Outdoor sports show in Harrisburg, PA. Tried it out at the show and when i got it home. Very happy with my decision. Thanks for all your inputs

[Lawdwaz]

Cool, what model did you get? Buy any extras?

I use Summit bags on mine. had some lfet over from my other climbers. I use at least two bags, one side bag and one in the front with the zipper facing in towards me. I put my haul ropes in the side bag. Althou I bought a Chill Pad, I think I only used it a couple times. The side arm pads the sell are OK.

[backstrapbuster]

I got the Pro Mag stand. As a part of the show package I got the stand, arm pads, chill pad. I also bought the bow rest at cost. saved over $135 with the show price.

[apoallo]

Summit Viper SS climber = awesome!!

[sweet old bill]

My Buddy NYBOB had a climber for years one of the top brands and at 75 he felt it was just like shooting the bow, you know how to shoot and how to setup your climber. But last year we almost lost him as he was turned upside down and hung from his kegs for several hours till his son found him. The had to use a tree picker to get him down and then fly him out to the nearest critical care center. He is now on the mend. His legs do not work as well. SO his words are use a ladder stree stand.

[Lawdwaz]

My Buddy NYBOB had a climber for years one of the top brands and at 75 he felt it was just like shooting the bow, you know how to shoot and how to setup your climber. But last year we almost lost him as he was turned upside down and hung from his kegs for several hours till his son found him. The had to use a tree picker to get him down and then fly him out to the nearest critical care center. He is now on the mend. His legs do not work as well. SO his words are use a ladder stree stand.

What kind of safety harness was NYBOB wearing when he had this trouble?

[mbucks27]

Yea they can be dangerous if not setup properly and if not using a saftey belt. I have been using a summit bushmaster stand for the last few years and have had not major problems. I recently bought a lone wolf hand climber with the sit strap and it is an awesome stand!!!! easy to setup and pack in. It is bascially like sitting in a lockon b/c there is no major bar around you on the top end. Great stand cant recommend it enough!!.

John